Reversible seat or chair



March 21, 1933. Q R H REN 1,902,282

REVERSIBLE SEAT OR CHAIR Filed May 13, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l I March 1933- c. R. HULTGREN REVERSIBLE SEAT OR CHAIR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 13. 1929 IIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIJ'IIIIIIIIIIII .%zz feza, 197 g March 1933- c. R. HULTGREN REVERSIBLE SEAT OFCHAIR 3 Sheets-Shet 3 Filed May 13. 1929 Ill Ill larged section taken Patented Mar. 21, 1933 bursa s s r CHARLES R. HUL'IG-REN, OF CHECAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T S. KARPEN & BROS, OF

CHICAGQ, ELLEN-OTB, A CGRPORi-LTION OF NEST VIRGINIA REVERSIBLE SEAT OR CHAIR Application filed May 13,

' cation of the invention disclosed in my application Serial. No. 324,933, filed December 10,1928.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an end elevational View of a double seat adapted for use in a railroad coach, one end of the structure being ordinarily close to a side-wall of the coach; Fig. 2', a section through the base, taken on the line 2 ofFig. 1; Fig. 3, a section taken on the line 8-3 of Fig. 1; Figs. 4, and 6, sections taken 111 dicated at line 411- of Fig. 2, and corresponding, respectively, with the position in 1, a position Eli: 415 therefrom, and a. position at 90 from the position shown in Fig. 1; 7, a section similar to Fig. 2, showing a modification; and Flg. 8, an en- T as indicated at line 8 of Fig. 7.

In the illustration shown, the chair consists of a base 1 and a seat structure 2 sur mounting the base and provided wit-ha back 3 and side-arms 4. The seat shown is a double seat having its long normally extending at right angles to the side wall of the car. The base of the seat structure isprovided with a pair of cross-bars 5 which are secured by means of rivets 6 to the bottom plate 7. The bottom plate 7 is thus rigidly secured to the su'rmounting chair structure so that a turning motion imparted to the chair. as for example by grasping and turning the back 3, causes a corresponding turning of the bottom plate.

The bottom plate is provided at its central portion with depending post or stud 8 which permits pivoting or turning of the chair superstructure on the base 1. The upper end of post 8 is secured to base plate 7 through the medium of a flange member 9 which is provided with a pin 10, which, in turn, keys the post 8' to plate 7. The base plate 7 is preferably provided with two or more corru gations or ribs 11 which are struck down- 1829. Serial No; 382,526.

wardly from the main portion of the plate and serve to facilitate turning of the superstructure of the chair structure upon the base.

The base of the chair consists of a perimetral wall 12, the base portion of which is flared outwardly, at 13, the flanged portion formed thereby being provided with screwreceiving perforations 14. A top plate extends horizontally acrossthe top of the base and may be secured to the perimetral wall 12 by spotwelding. The top plate 15 is pro vided with a lateral guide-slot 16 which allows for a lateral shifting of the post 8 relative to the base when the seat structure is turned upon the base in a manner to be eX- plained forthwith.

Lateral shifting of the seat structure upon the base, preferably is accomplished by mechanism embodying a pair of gear-wheels of different radii, and a connecting arm or rod extending between oneof said gear-wheels and the base. The method of efiecting the lateral shifting by means of this mechanism will be understood by reference, particularly to Fig. 2. The large gear-wheel 17 is keyed to the lower portion of post 8 and turns with the post and the seat structure secured there to. A locknut 18 holds the gear wheel 17 firmly against bearing plate 19 which is interposed between gear-wheel 17 and the top plate 15 of the base. A second gear wheel 20 of relatively small diameter as compared to that of gear-wheel 17, is pivotally mounted on the pin 21 which is rigidly affixed to bearing plate 19. Gear wheels 17 and 20 are in intermeshing relation so that a turning movement imparted to the seat structure is transmitted through the post 8 and gear wheel 17 to gear wheel 20.

A throw arm 22 is pivotally secured by means of a stud 23 to an eccentric portion of gear wheel 20. The opposite end of arm 22 is pivot-ally secured to the base plate 15 through the medium of stud 24. A spacing collar 25 holds arm tion relative to gear 20 and bearing plate 19 which are interposed between the arm 22 and the top plate 15.

The lateral shifting effected by the gear mechanism just described will be understood 22 in proper spaced relaby reference to Figs. 4: to 6, which show progressively the positions taken by the two gear wheels 17 and 20 and throw arm 22 during a turning of the seat structure in a clockwise direction through an angle of 90 from the position shown in Fig. 1. The arrows indicate the direction of motion of the gear wheels.

In Fig. i, the parts are shown in their relative positions when the chair is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the car wall bein adjacent the right side of Fig. at, which would be the left end of the chair in the position in Fig. 1. It should be borne in mind that Figs. 4- to 6 are taken along the line H of Fig. 2, looking upwardly. As shown in Fig. 4, the seat structure is in its normal central position on the base, post 8 being at the extreme right end of guide slot 16, and throw arm 22 being in alinem-ent with guide slot 16. Upon a turning of the seat structure in a clockwise direction through an angle of 45 the shifting mechanism assumes the position shown in Fig. 5. In this posit-ion it will be apparout that post 8 is shifted to the left along guide slot 16. This lateral shifting has been effected by means of gear wheel 20 and throw arm 22, which has eccentric connection with gear wheel 20 and pivotal connection with base plate 15, as previously described. The ratio of the gear wheels 17 and 20 in the form shown is two to one, so that gear wheel 20 is moved through an angle of 90 while gear wheel 17 has been turned through an angle of l.

In the position shown in Fig. 6, the seat structure has been turned through an additional from the position shown in Fig. 5. In this position post 8, and the surmounting seat structure secured thereto, has been further shifted laterally along guide slot 16 by means of throw arm 22 and gear wheel 20. In this position the maximum clearance between the side wall of the car and the left end of the seat is afforded. It will be understood that in Fig. 6, the gear wheel 20 has turned through an angle of 180 so that arm 22 is again in ,alinement with guide slot 16, but in a position 180 from that shown in The lateral thrust afforded by throw arm 22 acting upon gear wheel 20, it will be understood is transmitted to post 8 through the bearing plate 19 upon which gear wheel 20 is pivotally mounted. Bearing plate 19 is dent that a turning of the seat structure in either direction through an angle of 180 upon the base will move it from a central position to an off-center position and again back to central position.

Locking mechanism for securing the seat structure in a fixed position relative to the base preferably is provided. A convenient form of such mechanism is shown in Fig. 2. It is shown as comprising a foot treadle 26 pivotally secured at 27 to an arm 28 "which is, in turn, secured to a cross-bar 29 mounted in the base; and a vertical plunger 30 connected through a link 31 to treadle 26. The base plate 7 of the seat structure is provided with perforations 32 whichare disposed at intervals of 90 andcome into registration with the top end of the plunger 30. The seat structure may thus be held in forwardly facing position, rearwardly facing position, or at 90 thereto. A spring 33 interposed between a collar 34 and crossbar 29 serves to normally hold plunger 30 in locking engagement with perforations 32. By depressing foot treadle 26, the plunger is removed from the retaining socket and the seat structure is free to turn on the base.

In the modification shown in Figs. 7 and 8, provision is made for anti-friction bear ings to facilitate ease of operation. In this modification, the members 7 and 8 correspond with the members 7 and 8 of the preceding figures. The post 8 is journalled in a carriage 35 comprising plates 35 and 35. These plates are equipped with anti-friction rollers 36 which engage the upper and lower sides of an intervening track-plate 37 which is fixed, as by spot-welding, to the base.

The lower portion of the post 8 is keyed to the larger gear wheel which is held in rotatable contact with plate 35 through the anti-friction bearings 38 by means of the lock nut 39. The track plate 37 is slotted to permit a lateral travel of the post 8 as is the plate 15 in Fig. 2.

The locking mechanism in this modification comprises a foot treadle 26 pivotally secured to cross rod 40 which in turn is secured to the side walls of the base 1 and a vertical plunger 30, connected by the eccentrically drilled shackle ll to the treadle, and extending upwards, through a loose fitting bushing 39 in the plate 37, soas to engage suitable perforations 32 in the base plate of the seat structure. The plunger is normally held in its uppermost position through the action on the treadle of the tension spring 33 The operation is the same as in Fig. 2. In this modification, however, there is a simple rotation of the post relative to the carriage, while the carriage has a simple reciprocating movement, the entire weight of movable parts being carried on the anti-friction rollers 36.

The construction is rugged, and is particularly convenient in that it permits of lateral shifting to provide clearance when the seat structure is turned in either direction about the base. The base is open at the bottom so that the gear wheels and locking mechanism are easily assembled.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A chair of the character described COI11- prising a base, a seat structure mounted to turn on the base, and seat-shifting connecting means between said base and seat structure serving to laterally shift the seat upon forcible turning of the same upon the base, said shifting means including a pair of intermeshing gear wheels mounted to shift laterally with said seat structure, and a throw arm pivotally secured to the base and having eccentric connection with one of said gear wheels.

2. A chair of the character described comprising a base, a seat structure mounted to turn on the base, and seat-shifting connecting means between said base and seat structure serving to laterally shift the seat upon forcible turning of the same upon the base, said shifting means including a pair of intermeshing gear wheels of different radii, the smaller of which has an eccentric linked to the base.

3. A chair of the character described comprising a base, a seat structure mounted to turn on the base, and seat-shifting connecting means between said base and seat structure serving to laterally shift the seat upon forcible turning of the same upon the base, said shifting means including a pivot post depending from the base portions of the seat structure, a gear wheel mounted to turn with said post, a second gear wheel in intermeslr ing relation with said first mentioned wheel and adapted to make a complete revolution for a half revolution of said first wheel, and a throw arm, pivotally secured to the base and having eccentric connection with said second gear.

4. A chair of the character described comprising a base having a top plate provided with a guide slot, a seat structure having a pivot post depending through said guide slot into the base, and means for shifting said post laterally along said guide slot to an off-center position and back to the central position during a half revolution of the scat structure on the base, said shifting means including a gear wheel adapted to turn with said pivot post, a second gear wheel in interineshing relation with said first mentioned wheel, and a connecting rod extending between the base and the second gear wheel and having eccentric connection with saidsecond gear wheel.

5. A chair of the character described comprising a base, a seat structure mounted to turn on said base, and seat-shifting connecting means between said base and seat structure serving to laterally shift the seat upon forcible turning of the same upon the base, said shifting means comprising a pivot post depending from the base portion of the seat structure, a' gear wheel mounted on said pivot post, a bearing plate interposed between said gear wheel and the base and provided. with a bearing for said post, a second gear wheel mounted on said bearing plate and meshing with said first mentioned gear wheel, and a throw arm having one end pivotally secured to said base and the other end journaled eccentrically on said gear wheel.

6. A chair of the character described comprising a base having a .top plate vprovided with a guide slot, a seat structure mounted to turn on the base, and connecting means between said base and seat structure adapted to cause lateral shifting of the seat to an oifcenter position and return to central position upon forcible turning of the same in either direction on the base through an angle of 1809, said means including a pivot post de pending fromthe base of the seat structure through said guide slot and into the base, a gear wheel mounted to turn with saidpost, a

bearing plate interposed between said gear wheel and the top wall of the base and adapted to shift laterally with the seat structure, a second gear wheel mounted on said bearing plate and driven by said first mentioned wheel, and a throw arm pivotally secured to the base and having eccentric connection with said second gear wheel. I v i 7 A chair of the character described com prising a base having a top wall provided with a guide slot, a seat structure mounted to turiron the base and having a lon axis normally extending parallel to said guide slot, and connecting means between the base and seat structure serving to laterally shift the seat structure along said guide slot to offcenter position and return to central position upon forcible turning of the same in either direction on the base through an angle of 180, said means including a pair of gear wheels mounted to shift laterally with the seat structure, and a connecting rod pivotally secured to the base and having eccentric connection with one of said gear wheels.

8. A- chair of the character described, comprising a base; a seat-structure shiftably and swivelly mounted thereon; and shifting mechanism comprising a gear-member mounted to turn with said seat-structure, a second gear-member intermeshing with the first mentioned gear member, and a link eccentrically connected to said second mentioned gear member and attached to said base so as to shift the former duringits rotation.

9. A chair of the character described, comprising a base, a seat-structure shiftably and swivelly mounted thereon; and shifting mechanism comprising a gear-member secured to and turned through the medium of said seat-structure, another gear-member actuated through the medium of said first mentioned geardnember, connections between said second mentioned gear-member and said base serving to shift the former during its rotation, and a slide-plate journaled concentrically with said first mentioned gear-member and equipped with a journal on which said second mentioned gear-member is journaled.

10. In a structure of the character set forth; a base equipped with a guide; a surmounting seat-structure equipped with a post depending through said guide; a gear-mend ber secured to the lower end of said post; a slide in which said post is j ournaled; a gearmember journaled on said slide and actuated by said first-mentioned gear-member; and a link pivoted to said base and to an eccentric pivot carried by said second-mentioned gearmember. 7

11. A structure of the character described, comprising a base; a reciprocable carriage anti-frictionally mounted on said'base a seatstructure antifrictionally journaled in said carriage; and carriage-shifting connections between said carriage and base comprising gears intermeshing with each other, one of said gears being mounted to turn with said seat-structure and another j ournaled in said carriage, and a link eccentrically connected to said second mentioned gear and attached to the base.

12. A. structure of the character described, comprising: a base provided with parallel walls, asupporting-plate between and rigidly secured to said walls, said plate being pro vided with a slot, a carriage comprising upper and lower plates slidable between said walls, anti-friction bearings between the carriageplates and said first-mentioned plate, a seat structure anti-frictionally journaled on said carriage and-having a post extending through the carriage, a gear mounted on said post, a second gear journaled on said lower plate and intermeshing with said first mentioned gear, and a link pivoted to said base and eccentrically connected to the second mentioned gear.

CHARLES HULTGREN. 

